Wednesday, 26 June 2013

The death of the Defense of Marriage Act is the death of religious
liberty. All faithful Catholics and Christians, Muslims and Jews, who
believe that homosexual behavior is fundamentally sinful, and that
homosexual inclinations are akin to other evil temptations, are now
incapacitated by law from prohibiting same-sex couples from seeking to
'bless' a 'marriage' in their churches. Here is the blood-money quote
from the decision:

“DOMA singles out a class of persons deemed by a State entitled to recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty.”

When liberals talk about singling "out a class of persons" for
enhancing "their own liberty," what they really mean is that if you
disagree with them you are headed to the concentration camp. The
"Patient Protection and Affordability Act" actually protects no
patient, but does create more IRS agents, and "Affordability" can be
defined as an average increase in premiums of about 20% per person. I
only mention this in case you are one of the low-information voters, or
elected representatives, who haven't been reading the laws passed by
Congress in the last 5 years, and therefore haven't understood the
linguistic trend to turn the English language into a hot-yoga class.

But I digress. Here is a simple hypothetical situation to assist you in
understanding what the impact of this 5-4 (!) vote will be at your
local parish:

Mary Fran is a 65 year-old grandma. Her divorce in 1974 left her free
to pursue her ambition to learn liturgical dance at the local
Jesuit/Sacred Heart combined university. Her daughter, Chastity, never
married, but does have three children who have never known their
fathers any more than Chastity did when she picked them up at the local
rave nightclub.

Mary Fran has been working as Liturgical Minister for her Pastor, Father
Lupusinoves, at Saint Edward Parish in Snowden. She is delighted to
hear from Chastity that her grandchild, Pat is engaged to Chris. She
asks Fr. Lupusinoves if the young love-birds can be married at St.
Edward after measuring the length of the main aisle for the proper ratio
between the walk up to the front and the dress already purchased by Pat
for the big day.

Having appreciated Mary Fran's incredible choreography for many years,
particularly the nymph-dance and bacchanalia for the last Good Friday
service, Father signs the papers without a second thought. An
appointment is made for Father to meet with Pat and Chris and take care
of the marriage instruction, but Father can't work it in until 2 months
before the wedding, so he trusts Mary Fran with passing on the
paperwork and helping her grandchild and fiance with the basics of
marriage prep.

Reports come back to Father that everything is progressing wonderfully.
The parish hall is booked. Caterers and decorators are hired. Dresses
and Tuxes are purchased or rented, flowers are on special order. Every
material aspect of the wedding is planned, and non-refundable deposits
are paid, well before Father meets the couple.

As you probably guessed. Pat and Chris are two women. Or two men. Mary
Fran has followed the logical path of what she has taught during her
time as Liturgical Minister. Father Lupusinoves might or might not get a
reprimand from his bishop if he goes through with this. The one
certainty is that he if doesn't honor the contract he signed, he will
face a major lawsuit from Pat and Chris.

If people of faith do not want this to happen in their parishes,
civil/legal marriages will have to be separate from the sacrament of
marriage. Ironically, that is at the core of what Mary Fran has
believed since her divorce in the 70's. The Mary Fran's of the world
have convinced themselves that the sacrament of marriage was invalid,
personally and globally. She passed this belief on to Chastity who
never even bothered with it.

And now the third generation not only disregards the sanctity of marriage, but mocks it.

Friday, 14 June 2013

...members and followers may know that our Chairman, Dylan
Parry has resigned from blogging and, as a result, feels that he can no longer
act as Chairman to the Guild.

This is a cause of great regret to the Guild as, of course,
the ‘guild’ concept originated with Dylan and established itself well, under his guidance, in the
three years since its inaugural meeting.

I know that Guild members will want to join in with a
general vote of grateful thanks to Dylan for his dedication towards the Guild
and for his considerable efforts in establishing it.

So now, we need a new leader and the plan is that we issue a
call to nominate a fellow member (or, indeed, oneself) to pick up the baton and
lead the Guild forward.

Fr Tim has asked me to initiate proceedings to this effect
but that, dear friends, is as far as it goes. I have no ambitions to occupy the
post, hence, I will not be standing (just in case any member felt rash enough
to propose me).

Only members may nominate (an excellent chance to become a
member, you do not need to be a blogger, just Catholic, or aspiring to be, and
a user of the new technologies).

Facebook, Twitter and other social media members are very
welcome, full instructions on the blog.

The closing date for nominations will be Saturday 22nd
June 2013 after which, the names of those put forward will be emailed privately
to all members who should then cast their vote, again to my email address by
June 29th, Feast of Ss Peter & Paul.

An announcement (assuming that we have a clear vote) will be
made within a few days.

Copies of all nominations and votes will be forwarded to Fr
Tim for the sake of the integrity of the process.

So please respond with a nomination and also remember to
offer a prayer that we find someone of Dylan’s calibre to lead us on.

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

I've been in many parishes while renovations were taking place, and it
can be hard to make a space that feels reverent. Folding chairs,
basketball hoops, and bad sound systems can make it hard to focus on why
we are at Mass in the first place.
I was reprimanded last weekend for speaking too loudly as I was leaving
our parish hall, which is substituting for our church during
renovations. The irony was that I was taking about how wonderful it was
to have so much of the sacred in our temporary chapel.

Look at this:

I want you to notice a few details here. The altar was crafted for this
purpose, and holds the Tabernacle. There is a table between the chairs
for Father's biretta. In the dark opening in the distance, you can see
the door of the temporary plywood confessionals. The statue of Saint
Anthony is one of several that we moved from the church to increase the
sense of the sacred in this temporary home. The icons of the Madonna
were transferred as well.

You can pick out other features, but special note must be given to the
communion rail. It was lovingly crafted last week by a parishioner who
knew it was important. I'm thinking of making some small foam pads to
assist those who cannot kneel on the floor during the Eucharistic
prayers.

So, Father Cook, I'm sorry I was being loud after Mass. I was just so
happy that such care has been given to create a holy temporary space.

Monday, 10 June 2013

If anyone who reads this blog has not visited the Adoration Chapel at Tyburn Convent in London near Marble Arch, or the museum of the relics of the martyrs, I highly suggest doing this.

The relics remind us all of the great sacrifices Catholics who went before us suffered. We can also gain strength from meditating on their lives.

The stained glass windows in the crypt museum not only are unique, but truly lovely. These depict the beatitudes in conjunction with the lives of the martyrs of Tyburn. This one is from the Shrewsbury Diocese site, but there are more on Flickr.

Why we venerate and meditate on the lives of the martyrs may seem strange to many people who do not want to face suffering.

However, in these times, which so obviously are witnessing a re-paganization of Europe, one must reflect on the graces of perseverance and hope.

Hebrews 12:1

Douay-Rheims

And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

In 1899, Pope Leo XIII, (who should be canonized), dedicated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The wonderful nuns at Tyburn say this prayer daily at the end of Vespers. If you would like to join them, the prayer is below. The order drops the Islamic bit, but I share the original prayer of the Pope here as it is still published. Many families in America, when I grew up, had the priest come to the house and enthrone the picture of the Sacred Heart with special prayers. I hope this is still done somewhere today.

Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Your altar. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but, to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.

You are King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

You are King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof; call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

You are King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism; refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Your eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Your chosen people. Of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.

Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and Honor forever. Amen.

Monday, 3 June 2013

O BLESSED Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy “Dowry” and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.

LITANY OF INTERCESSION FOR THE CONVERSION OF ENGLAND

Remember not, O Lord, our Offences, nor those of our Parents; neither take thou Vengeance of our Sins.Lord, have Mercy on us.Christ, have Mercy on us.Lord, have Mercy on us.Jesus, receive our Prayers.Lord Jesus, grant our Petitions,O God the Father, Creator of the World,Have Mercy on England.O God the Son, Redeemer of the World,Have Mercy on England.O God the Holy Ghost, Protector of the World,Have Mercy on England.O Sacred Trinity, three Persons and one God,Have Mercy on England.Holy Mary, Mother of God,Pray for England. (repeat)Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, whose powerful Intercession destroys Heresies,Holy Mary, Virgin of Virgins, whose eminent Sanctity our Lord hath honoured with so many Miracles,St. Michael, Prince of the Church,St. Gabriel, glorious messenger of our Saviour’s Incarnation,St. Raphael, faithful guide of those that have lost their Way,Holy Angel, to whose pious custody this Province is committed,All Holy Angels, and blessed Spirits, of Heaven, who celebrate with Joy the Conversion of Sinners,St. John Baptist, Precursor of the Messiah, and great Example of Penance,All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, Friends of God, and Advancers of his Truth,St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Supreme Pastor of Christ’s Sheep,St. Paul, Doctor of the Gentiles, who of a Persecutor became a Preacher,St. Andrew, first Disciple of Christ, and constant Lover of the Cross,All holy Apostles and Evangelists, chief Planters of the Christian Faith, and zealous Maintainers of Catholic Unity,St. George, our principal Patron, whose Courage remained invincible in the midst of so many Torments,St. Alban, our first Martyr, who, for the generous charity of harbouring a Priest, was put to Death,St. Thomas of Canterbury, who, as a faithful Shepherd, laidst down thy Life in Defence of thy Flock,All holy Martyrs of this Nation, who voluntarily lost your Lives here, to find them again in a joyful Eternity,St. Gregory, most vigilant Bishop of the universal Church, whose pious Zeal sent Missionaries from Rome for the conversion of our Ancestors,St. Augustine, peculiar Apostle of this Nation, by whom our Forefathers were reclaimed from Paganism and Infidelity,St. Bede, most venerable Confessor, by whose religious Life, and learned Writings, the Catholic Faith was eminently propagated amongst us,All holy Bishops and Confessors, by whose Wisdom and Sanctity this Island was once a flourishing Seminary of Religion,St. Helen, most holy Queen, and happy Mother of the first Christian Emperor,St. Ursula, most blessed Martyr, who died in the glorious Defence of Faith and Chastity,St. Winefred, most admirable Virgin, even in this unbelieving Generation still miraculous,All holy Saints of this Nation, who, amidst the innumerable Joys of Heaven, still retain a particular Charity for the Conversion of your country,All holy Saints of all Places, who, tho’ divided here in several Regions, were united in the same Faith, and now enjoy one common Felicity,

Be merciful, O Lord, and spare us.Be merciful, O Lord, and hear us.From the Dangers most justly threatening our Sins,Deliver England, O Lord.From the Spirit of Pride, Rebellion, and Apostacy,Deliver England, O Lord.From the Spirit of Hypocrisy, Prophaneness, and Sacrilege,Deliver England, O Lord.From Schism, Heresy, and all Blindness of Heart,Deliver England, O Lord.From Gluttony, Drunkenness, and the false Liberty of an undisciplin’d Life,Deliver England, O Lord.We Sinners beseech thee hear us.That it will please thee to hasten the Conversion of this, our miserable country, and re-unite them to the ancient Faith and Communion of thy Church,We Sinners beseech thee hear us. (repeat)That it would please thee particularly to have Mercy on our Kinsfolks, Friends, and Benefactors, and open their Eyes to see the Beauty of thy Truth, and embrace it,That it would please thee to incline the Hearts of all the Magistrates rightly to understand our Religion, and impartially consider our Sufferings; and how hardly soever they may deal with us, make us till with exact Fidelity to perform our Duties toward them,That it would please thee to comfort and strengthen thy Servants who suffer for the Catholic Faith, and not permit the weakest of us, by any Temptation whatsoever, to fall away from thee and thy Truth,That it would please thee to assist with thy special Grace those good Pastors who venture their Lives for their Flock, and daily augment in them the Fire of thy Love, and the Zeal of gaining Souls,That it would please thee to preserve the Catholics of this Land from all Sin and Scandal, and to adorn our Lives with solid Piety, that our Enemy, seeing our good Works, may glorify thee our heavenly Father,That it would please thee to grant us the grace of improving the Restraints and temporal Disadvantages we fall under, into an Occasion of Retiredness and Christian Severity; supplying our Want of public Assemblies by a greater diligence in private Devotions,That it may please thee to govern us by thy good Spirit, that we may accept such Ease and Liberty, as thou vouchsafest to bestow on us, with Gratitude, use it with Modesty, and give others to understand by our Behaviour, that nothing is pleasing to us, but so far as it tends to thy Honour and our Neighbour’s Good,That it would please thee to illuminate the Hearts of all Schismatics, who live out of the Church, seriously to apprehend the danger of their State, and the great Importance of eternal Salvation,That it would please thee to look mercifully down from Heaven on the Tears of the Afflicted, and the Blood of so many Martyrs, who have spent their Lives and suffered Death to convert us to thee,Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, Spare us, O Lord.O Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, Hear us, O Lord.O Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World, Have Mercy on us.Lord have Mercy on us.Christ, have Mercy on us.Lord have Mercy on us.

Our Father, etc.V.: And lead us not into Temptation.R.: But deliver us from Evil. Amen.

Let us Pray.Almighty and everlasting God, whose Judgements are righteous, and Counsels unsearchable, who visitest the Iniquities of the Parents upon the Children, to the third and fourth generation, and yet at length rememberest Mercy: Forgive, we beseech thee, the Sins of our Forefathers, and turn away thy Wrath from their Posterity; deliver the Ignorant from being seduced by false Teachers, and the Learned from being abused by their Passions, and the whole Nation from the Spirit of Contradiction, Licentiousness, and Discord; that instead of many Divisions and Changes in Religion, under which they labour, they may again be restored to that Unity of Mind, Steadiness of Faith, and Tranquillity of Conscience, which is no where to be sought but in the Communion of thy Church, nor possible to be found but by the Conduct of thy Grace.O eternal God, who in this great Deluge of Heresy, which wholly overflows, and almost covers the Face of this Land, hast vouchsafed to select a small Number for thyself, and save them in thy Holy Ark from the common Inundation; we praise and glorify thy infinite Goodness, by which alone we enjoy the Comfort of a firm and settled Belief, free from the Inconstancy of those, who, having no Support but their own Fancies, float up and down awhile, and sink at last into the Gulf of Infidelity; make us sensible, O Lord, of these thy unspeakable blessings, that as we know thee by a sure Faith, we may love thee with a perfect Charity; and fixing all our hopes on the joys of a future Life, patiently suffer what thou permittest here, and still press on to what thou promisest hereafter, thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord, and only Saviour. Amen.

Our Holy Patron

GUILD PRAYER

God our Father, source of life and freedom, through Your Holy Spirit you gave the Carmelite, Titus Brandsma the courage to affirm human dignity even in the midst of suffering and degrading persecution.

Grant us that same spirit so that, in refusing all compromise with error we may always and everywhere give coherent witness to Your abiding presence among us.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

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Members of The Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma are Catholic bloggers and users of the new media who seek to share their faith online. We are inspired by the vision of the New Evangelisation called for by successive Popes.

"Thanks to the new communications media, the Lord can walk the streets of our cities and, stopping before the threshold of our homes and our hearts, say once more: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20)" Pope Benedict XVI's Message for the 44th World Communications Day.

We pray that all who visit this site may be filled with every Heavenly grace and blessing as well as that peace of the Risen Christ which is beyond all human understanding.

Contributions to this blog are made by men and women who are members of a Guild for Catholic bloggers under the patronage of Blessed Titus Brandsma. Contributors are loyal to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and to the Successor of St Peter. The Guild of Blessed Titus Brandsma blog aims to raise the profile of the Catholic Faith as well as to inform, inspire and educate the laity and evangelise the United Kingdom. Contributors will write on a range of subjects including theology, liturgy, canon law and apologetics.